This Weekend: Make a Date with the Big Island

If you’re feeling like this week might have kicked your rear a little too hard, it’s time to turn things around and kick back. Play hard, people.

The Steppas Steppin’ Out

Roots music will have you swaying as this all-ages concert will have the crowd partying until the wee-ayem hours.

The Steppas continue their grassroots island tour tonight at the Script in Kailua-Kona with Positive Motion, Lighthouse Band, Fyah Red Posse and DJ Pa3co. Tickets are $10 pre-sale and $15 at the door.

On Saturday night, the boys will play at Uncle Roberts Awa Bar in Kalapana from 9 p.m. with The Uprites, Lighthouse Band and The Voices. Tickets are $8 at the door.

DNB at Akebono

Let the music lead you into oblivion, or at least audio-escapism for a while.  The David Nelson Band is at Akebono Theater in Pahoa tonight . Doors open at 7 p.m., and tickets are $30 at the door.

This band’s ridiculously good improvisational nature and delicious licks will keep you intrigued and meandering along the musical journey with them.

East Hawai’i Cultural Center, photo by Kristin Hashimoto

A New Divorcee Gets Neurotic Neat-freak Roommate

A classic comedy comes to the East Hawai’i Cultural Center as sportswriter and sloven extraordinaire Oscar Madison meets his match with OCD-like neat-freak  Felix Unger.

Tickets are available at the EHCC and the show begins at 7 p.m. tonight. If you can’t make that performance try again. The play will be performed on Jan. 19, 25, 26, and Feb. 2, 8, and 9.

Fine Wood on Display at Isaacs Art Center

Are you good with your hands? Or know someone who is?

At 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19, attend the opening reception of the Hawai`i Wood Guild’s 27th Annual exhibition of gorgeous woodworking. Gawk at or admire pieces, and perhaps buy one or two to take home with you.

The exhibit is ongoing through Feb. 23. The art center in Waimea is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit www.hawaiiwoodguild.com.

It’s Forkin’ Good

Enjoy a five-course French Creole-inspired night with an island spin at the Kealakekua Bay Bed and Breakfast while listening to the David Nelson Band play.

The lovely edibles of the night include ulu, smoked opelu, Puna goat cheese and more, with wine pairings from the Nelson Family’s Vineyard.

This event takes place on Sunday, Jan. 20 and begins at 1 p.m. Guests will celebrate and appreciate the island’s fresh locally sourced ingredients. Tickets are $130 and are available online at www.brownpapertickets.com.

Did Someone Say Free Concert?

It’s not a Jawaiian, jazz, reggae or slack-key event. You still reading? Classical music lovers can rejoice with a free concert from the Kamuela Philharmonic at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Young winners of the orchestra’s Concerto Competition will perform a myriad of movements and concertos.

After the concert, the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel’s Canoe House restaurant has created a “chef’s choice” menu specifically for the event. Reservations for this $100-per-person dinner are being accepted.